Je m'apprète à partir quelques semaines mais je ne suis pas encore décidée sur la destination, c'est pourquoi je me tourne vers vous amateurs de voyages !
Le choix de ma destination est très lié à mon budget, en effet c'est sérré !
J'ai environ 1000€, et j'aimerais rester au moins 1 mois..
Soit un budget d'environ 20€ par jour si je reste 45 jours..
Sachant que je souhaite plus aller vers les plages, que je suis pas difficile sur l'hébergement et la nourriture, et open pour le couch surfing..
De plus je pars avec une amie donc nous pourrons partager la chambre quand nous devrons etre en hotel..
Est ce que c'est un budget qu'y vous parait réalisable ??
Et dernière petite question, au brésil est ce que l'on peux parler un peu anglais ou il faut que je me mettes tout de suite au portugais ??
oui c'est bien l'impression que je suis entrain de me faire :/
et chicobrasil, tu es donc entrain de me dire que meme en voyage a la routard il faudrait 100€/jour �� 2 ? Donc 3000€..
Ca me semble énorme !!
Même en France je n'arrive pas a ce budget..
Bonjour, pour info j'ai fait une virée de 2 semaines au Brésil, en vacances confortables (hotels, resto, taxi, vols intérieurs) selon mes habitudes, et j'ai dépensé autant qu'en Europe a qualité égale .
Mais non ne voyons peut etre pas le séjour de la même manière..
Moi je parle d'un matelas ou d'un hamac dans un bout de chambre sans trop de bestioles, pas forcément situé au coeur d'un quartier branché mais plutot a 15mn de marche.. Pas de vols intérieurs, des transports locaux, quelques restos à l'occas mais plutot de la bouffe à la locale, une douche au bidon s'il faut..
C'est plutot ce genre de voyage dont je parle..
Quelqu'un pourrait me dire par exemple le prix d'une nuit dans les poussadas les moins chères ?
Bonjour, j'ai bien compris vos conditions de voyage a très très bas cout, mais il faut quand meme se dire que coté sécurité ce sera quand meme limite et d'autres pays sont plus faciles pour vivre en Robinson.
Le budget annoncé est le même pour 1 ou 2 personne...soit 50/60€ jours...
pour le logement, il faut prévoir un budget moyen selon les conditions que tu décrit dans les 25€ / jour pour 2.....ensuite reste le budget déplacement et nourriture....pour la nourriture il faut prévoir aussi dans les 10/15 € /jour pour 2 et déjà on arrive à 40€ (25 + 15) sans grande peine..
Les déplacement en bus coutent en moyenne 15 € les 100 km (exemple : 1 billet aller Sao Paulo -Rio de Janeiro = 460 km = + ou -168 R$ = 73€) , le stop n'existe pas.. et les distances sont grandes au Brésil.....par contre que tu fasse 500 km ou 2000 km en bus le prix du voyage restera dans une tranche de 150 à 200 R$ car avec les compagnies aérienne low cost cela a crée de la concurrence...un aller simple SP- Salvador de bahia (2500 km) te coutera environ 200 R$ en bus et 2 jours de voyage contre 320 R$ en avion et 3h de vol.....
...
Le choix de ma destination est très lié à mon budget, en effet c'est sérré !
J'ai environ 1000€, et j'aimerais rester au moins 1 mois..
Soit un budget d'environ 20€ par jour si je reste 45 jours..
...
Et dernière petite question, au brésil est ce que l'on peux parler un peu anglais ou il faut que je me mettes tout de suite au portugais ??
...
A mon (humble) avis le budget pourrait être possible ici à Bahia si vous sortez des zones de tourisme MAIS à condition de pouvoir s'exprimer en Portugais car à l'intérieur du pays faut pas se faire illusion de pouvoir se débrouiller en Anglais.
Pour contrer vos problèmes de budget le Couchsurfing est en effet une sollution alternative et intéressante mais n'oublie pas que cela demande organisation car tu ne peux pas vraiement rester plus que 2 ou 3 jours chez ton hôte (par respet) donc il faut bien bien combiner d'avance mais faire des rendez-vous ici au Brésil est chose "delicate" car les gens ont tendance à "oublier"
En tout cas si tu passes à Salvador fais moi signe et on ira boire un pot !
J'ai passé 45 jours au Brésil en 2009 et à deux, on a dépassé le budget de 1000€ ... 🤪 Tout était plus cher que prévu : hôtels, bus, bouffe ... Sans coûter que les taxis sont plus chers le week-end et que les hôtels budget routard sont souvent complets donc il faut tourner avec le taxi donc ça fait augmenter la note 🙁
- hébergement par jour : prévu 20,29€ / réalisé 32,23€
- repas : prévu 20€ pour 3 repas pour 2 personnes / réalisé 27,37€
- transports total pour 45 jours (sans billets d'avion, uniquement du bus ...) : 786,60€ / réalisé 802,50€
(j'ai les prix détaillés des parcours si ça t'intéresse)
- visites : prévu 57,54€ / réalisé 104,12€
- bilan : budget journalier prévu : 59,25€ / budget réalisé : 73,71€
Ca te donne une idée pour pouvoir prévoir ton budget.
Budget routard : hôtels moyens (chambre individuelle, pas dortoir mais avec salle de bains partagée le plus souvent possible),
bus de nuit pour éviter des nuits d'hôtel et bouffe le plus souvent dans les cafets et buffets au poids donc rien d'exagéré ... 🤪
Bon voyage et que surtout, ça ne te gâche pas le plaisir !
Un routard averti en vaut deux 😉
ok ok, merci pour toutes vos réponses !
malheureusement je crois que le brésil sera pour une prochaine fois, budget trop sérré pour profiter convenablement..
par contre est ce que vous auriez un autre pays d'amérique du sud à me conseiller avec ce même budget ?
qui ne soit pas trop dangeureux.. (nous sommes 2 femmes et nous pourrons nous séparer de temps en temps..)
A titre indicatif, voici la moyenne journalière pour les pays que j'ai fait en 2009 :
- Equateur : prévu 29,88€ / réalisé 30,18€
- Pérou : prévu 54,12€ / réalisé 53,36€
- Bolivie : prévu 21,07€ / réalisé 29,96€
- Chili : prévu 59,87€ / réalisé 59,27€
- Argentine : 49,34€ / réalisé 61,57€
- rappel Brésil : 59,25€ / réalisé 73,71€
Je dirai que Chili ou l'Argentine sont les deux pays les plus sûrs (hormis ce qui est arrivé aux deux randonneuses assassinées dans le Nord de l'Argentine mais c'est un cas rarissime ; on peut tomber sur un psychopathe n'importe où sans que ça ait à voir avec le niveau de sécurité générale du pays). J'ai vécu au Chili presque un an et je sortais avec mon sac à main le soir, ce que je ne fais nulle part ailleurs en Amérique du Sud.
Equateur, possible mais il faut être vigilantes surtout quand vous retirez de l'argent au distributeur. Bolivie je dirais à proscrire : faux chauffeurs de taxi, faux flics ça peut être assez dangereux. Un couple d'amis a failli se faire embarquer de force dans un faux taxi par deux faux policiers (les répliques des uniformes sont en vente libre !). Ils ont bluffé en sortant le portable et faisant mine d'appeler l'Ambassade et en hurlant pour attirer l'attention. Sinon, ils auraient été embarqués et dépouillés. Ca s'est passé à La Paz. Moi-même dans le taxi entre l'hôtel et la gare routière à La Paz, je n'étais pas rassuré du tout. Sinon les autres villes comme Sucre ou Uyuni c'est assez sûr. Au changement de bus à Potosi, les deux femmes de l'agence de bus cherchaient à me faire partir déjeuner pour pouvoir fouiller tous les sacs à dos (elles ignoraient que je comprenais l'espagnol ...). J'ai aussi ressenti une hostilité de la part de certains Boliviens à l'égard des touristes, sentiment partagé avec d'autres voyageurs mais c'est mon expérience personnelle. D'autres ont fait de bonnes rencontres et pourront te dire exactement le contraire.
Le Pérou pour deux femmes, je pense que c'est bien aussi en étant prudentes. Le Machu Picchu, la vallée des Incas, c'est vraiment merveilleux. La ville de Cuzco est belle et accueillante. Les gens sont gentils et l'on n'est pas sur ses gardes en permanence.
Les bus de nuit dans l'ensemble de l'Amérique du Sud sont désormais assez sûrs. En Equateur et au Pérou, prise des empreintes avant de monter dans le bus, certains mêmes photographies afin d'éviter les bandits qui par le passé montaient à bord et arrêtaient le bus en pleine nuit pour dépouiller tout le monde. Ne vous inquiétez pas, ce n'est plus le cas désormais. On peut voyager sans appréhension, même de nuit. Au Chili et en Argentine, les compagnies sont organisées comme des compagnies aériennes. On peut enregistrer ses bagages dès que l'on quitte l'hôtel à midi même si l'on a un bus de nuit (même en Equateur et au Pérou). Je te donnerai le nom des compagnies de bus recommandées et à éviter en fonction du pays que vous choisirez.
C'est vrai Chicobrasil : entre le moment où j'ai préparé 2007 et réalisé 2009, ça a augmenté de 20% et entretemps, ça a encore augmenté !! Le Brésil est le plus cher suivi par l'Argentine, le Chili, le Pérou, l'Equateur et en dernier la Bolivie.
Hi there, we’ve decided to head to Brazil at the end of March for 2.5 weeks with our 13-year-old son. From what I’ve gathered from some research, Rio seems like a great destination at this time of year, and I’m thinking around 4-5 days to explore it—does that sound right to you? Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, maybe a favela tour, or any other ideas?
How’s the best way to get around locally? I’ve heard about Bonito or Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande—what do you think of those? Fernando de Noronha for snorkeling or even diving? Is Recife a good option at this time of year?
If you’ve got any suggestions, we’re all ears—it’s for our 50th birthdays! :-) Thanks so much for your help and tips. See you soon.
Hi everyone! So happy to be back on this forum—it’s packed with such useful info! 🙂 My husband and I are planning a 2.5-week self-drive trip to Colombia at the end of the year, including some domestic flights. My first question is: is it possible, easy, and safe to do a road trip in Colombia?
Below is our draft itinerary (with questions at each stop):
29/11: France → Colombia. Overnight in Bogotá.
30/11: Exploring Bogotá: La Candelaria and Montserrate.
01/12: Gold Museum (closed on Mondays). Drive to Zipaquirá (1.5 hrs) to visit the Salt Cathedral. Then drive to Villa de Leyva (3 hrs). Explore the town. Overnight in Villa de Leyva.
02/12: Return to Bogotá via Laguna de Guatavita (5 hrs). Is it worth the detour? Overnight in Bogotá.
03/12: Flight to Pereira. Drive to Salento. Overnight in Salento.
04/12: Cocora Valley (hike among the wax palms) followed by a drive around the area. Are there any waterfalls or other sights nearby?
05/12: Visit a coffee finca—any recommendations? Then explore the surroundings: Filandia, Manizales, waterfalls? Hot springs? Which ones?
06/12: Flight to Medellín.
07/12: Exploring Medellín: Centro, Plaza Botero, Comuna 13. How do you visit Comuna 13? Is it easy to get around Medellín? Metro? Buses?
08/12: Drive to Guatapé (2 hrs). Visit the town, stroll around the lake, then El Peñol. Overnight in Guatapé.
09/12: Return to Medellín.
10/12: Flight to Santa Marta. Drive to a hotel near Tayrona Park.
11/12: Tayrona—El Zaino entrance.
12/12: Tayrona—Palangana entrance, then Bahia Concha and Santa Marta. What do you think?
13/12: Drive to Minca (45 mins). Can we reach the village by car? Pozo Azul and Marinka waterfalls. Overnight in Minca (or back in Tayrona?).
14/12: Drive to Puerto Nao (5 hrs). Stop in Ciénaga on the way + boat tour in Nueva Venecia and/or Buena Vista? Not enough time? Overnight in Puerto Nao.
15/12: Exploring Cartagena: Centro, Getsemaní, the walls + La Boquilla if we have time.
16/12: La Boquilla (is it really worth it?) if we didn’t have time yesterday, then back to the beach.
17/12: Return to France.
So, what do you think? Is this doable, or should we tweak it? Thanks in advance for your invaluable feedback and tips! 🙂
Hi there, I’m looking for recent info on a boat trip with sleeping accommodations from Belém to Santarém. I don’t want a "luxury cruise for wealthy tourists"—just a bed with a minimum of comfort seems great to me🙂. I didn’t find any up-to-date details with Amazon Star. Do you have any companies, guides, or prices for this route to recommend?
I’d love to hear tips and feedback on this trip, especially since I’m traveling solo. I’d like to get a sense of what to expect and ensure some basic safety with transportation.
Thanks.
Hi everyone,
We’re planning 40 days in Uruguay and Argentina in February and March, trying to avoid as much rain as possible.
We’re thinking of starting in Buenos Aires, then heading to Bariloche, and from there flying to Córdoba, Mendoza, or Salta. Maybe by bus or renting a car to explore each region.
Do you have any suggestions or tips for us? We love picturesque, historic cities and landscapes. As seasoned travelers, we’re used to planning our trips ourselves.
Thanks in advance!
We’ve planned our road trip in Chile, and the only thing left is to book the TABSA ferry from Punta Arenas to Puerto Williams.
Problem: the ferry that leaves Punta Arenas at 1 AM isn’t available for booking, no matter the day or month. All the other departures can be booked, though.
On top of that, Tabsa isn’t responding to any messages.
We’re planning to explore Peru’s main highlights and were wondering if anyone could share insights on the quality and comfort of overnight buses. If so, which bus company should we trust?
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Brazil from November 6th to December 2nd. We’ll be stopping in São Paulo, Paraty, Ilha Grande, Rio, and Salvador de Bahia.
Could you recommend some nice, non-luxury places to stay in each of these spots?
Also, any suggestions for places to visit would be great.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Marc
Hi there.
I already posted a message asking for advice about our upcoming trip to Chile.
Details: Getting around by bus or train.
Starting from Valparaiso, heading north, passing through cities and places to visit, then returning to Santiago via a different route.
Avoid the beaches...
Thanks
Hello,
my wife and I will be in Cusco for a week in March 2027.
I’d like to organize the visit to the site on our own, combining the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
We’d leave Cusco on Day 1 to arrive at the site in the morning, then stay in Aguas Calientes or Ollantaytambo, and on Day 2 return to Cusco while visiting the Sacred Valley.
Is this doable?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hello,
We’re spending 3 weeks in Rio between February 20 and March 15, 2027, to visit our son and daughter-in-law. We’re thinking of one or two "escapes" from Rio—3-day trips to get away from the city (so not too far, max 3–4 hours by car or bus). We’re all ears for suggestions! We love beautiful nature and authentic experiences, not so much the touristy spots... even though those spots are often in beautiful places, we’d rather avoid them.
Thanks for your insights!
Catherine
Hi there,
I’m planning a trip with my partner (no kids this time—thanks, Grandma!) for two weeks to celebrate her 40th birthday. I’ve been thinking about Chile. We’re looking at leaving around September 18, 2027, starting in the south and returning in early April.
Here’s what I had in mind:
8 nights in a van in the Lake District and the start of the Carretera Austral (up to the Chaitén area). We’re set to arrive in Puerto Montt around 2:00 PM. We don’t want to go too far south since we’re planning to explore the heart of Patagonia (Chile and Argentina) with the kids when they’re older. The idea is to spend 3 nights discovering the lakes (up to Cochamó) and 3 nights in Pumalín Park. I’ve also added two transition nights.
7 nights in the Atacama to experience another side of Chile (San Pedro), taking a domestic flight from Puerto Montt to Calama in the early afternoon. We’ll depart for France in the early evening from Santiago.
IMPORTANT NOTICE for those planning to take a bus to another city, state, or destination from Salvador!
Starting January 20, 2026, the intercity bus station Rodoviária is changing its address!
The Rodoviária is leaving the Iguatemi area and will now be located in ÁGUAS CLARAS (about twenty kilometers from downtown Salvador).
A brand-new station (the most modern in Brazil) has just been set up there, accessible by car/taxi/Uber/metro.
Allow for much more transfer time (especially during rush hours), so leave early if you're heading to Chapada Diamantina or other Brazilian cities by bus.
Remember, there are also private transfers (even French-speaking ones) that can take you directly from your hotel in Salvador to your hotel in Chapada. Sure, it’ll be more expensive, but you’ll save on transfer time and comfort.
Tropical greetings from Salvador,
@ivanbahiaguide
Loyal member of the French-Speaking Brazil Forums for over 15 years already 😊 🇧🇷
Hello,
We’re thinking of spending 1 month in Chile, maybe doing a loop?
From 12/23 to 01/22.
What are the must-see sights, given we’re more interested in the country’s cultural side than the beaches?
Thanks
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to southern Chile in November. Here's our tentative itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Santiago, then a flight the next day to Balmaceda where we'll pick up a rental car to reach Coyhaique.
Day 3: Walk in the Coyhaique National Reserve, then continue to Puerto Chacabuco. Return to Coyhaique for the second night.
Day 4: Drive to Villa Cerro Castillo for a hike in the national park. Continue to Puerto Tranquilo and stay there for 3 nights.
Day 5: Boat tour on Laguna San Rafael.
Day 6: Day trip to Monte San Valentin Glacier.
Day 7: Excursion to the Marble Chapels, then drive to Puerto Guadal. We'll stay there for 3 nights.
Day 8: Walk along Lago Carrera and return to Puerto Guadal.
Day 9: Rio Baker Valley and, if possible, a glacier excursion.
Day 10: Drive to Cochrane and hike in Tamango National Reserve. We'll stay 2 nights in Cochrane.
Day 11: Walk in the Chacabuco Valley.
Day 12: Drive to Caleta Tortel. We'll stay there for 2 nights.
Day 13: Cruise in the Rio Baker delta.
Day 14: Return to Cochrane.
Day 15: Return to Balmaceda in two stages.
Day 16: Continue the return journey.
Day 17: Return the rental car and head back to Santiago.
After this, we're also planning to explore northern Santiago. I'll post about that part once I have a clearer idea of the route.
What do you think of this itinerary? Is it doable in 17 days?
Thanks in advance for your tips and recommendations.
martine
Hi there, I’ll be in Brazil from December 10th to the end of February.
I’ve sketched out a rough itinerary but I’m not sure how to arrange it—considering the climate, year-end holidays, and Carnival.
Basically, I’m thinking of the Amazon, the Northeast coast with Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (but skipping Chapada Diamantina),
Ouro Preto, Paraty, and Ilha Grande—but no Rio visit.
Is this doable in 3 months?
Which direction should I take for this itinerary?
Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone, does anyone know the agency Ventura Travel Agency (not ventura travel)? After lots of research and quotes, it’s the only one offering Uyuni at a reasonable price while meeting all the criteria: transfer to the border, private-room accommodation, and a very fair rate. Other agencies or guides either offer shared rooms, no border transfer, or prices that are way too high. But I’d love to hear some reviews about this agency. Thanks in advance!
Hi everyone,
We're planning a trip to Chile to visit the Atacama Desert and then head toward Putre, Lauca, Salar de Surire, etc.
Which would be the better time to go, April or November?
Is an SUV enough?
Looking forward to your tips!
Hi everyone, French travelers in Chile—what credit cards do you use for your various car rentals in the country? I’m traveling in September and was planning to switch my regular debit card (a VISA PREMIER in deferred debit mode) for the deposit guarantee.
My rentals are with Figal in Punta Arenas, Econautos in Arica, and Chilean Rent a Car in Temuco, and all of them want the deposit on a credit card. For me, deferred debit *should* work, but I’ve read comments saying the opposite.
How’s it actually working on the ground with these rental companies right now? Will a deferred debit card work, or not at all?
In France, banks don’t issue credit cards, right—or am I mistaken?
Hi everyone, is it still possible to travel in Ecuador outside the Amazon region? If so, do you have a reliable agency to recommend? All your recent experiences from the past few months would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much
Hi,
We’re heading to Buenos Aires for 3 days in November and would like to do a guided tour of a few neighborhoods. There are "free" tours, but none in French. Does anyone have a guide to recommend so we can really get to know the city beyond just the architecture?
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m desperately looking for info on the schedules and routes of (shared) boats to visit the islands of Lake Titicaca.
From what I’ve found, there’s a *combi* (bus) that leaves from Puno to go to Llachon. Where do you catch it? What are the schedules and frequency? Does it take about 1 hour?
Then in Llachon, you can take a boat to Amantani (45 min). Same question—where do you check for frequency and schedule?
After that, from Amantani, boats go to Taquile and then Uros. Do you have enough time to visit the islands between two boats? Frequency and schedule?
The goal is to do this tour independently (no agency) over 2 days. Thanks for any tips you might have!
I just got back from a trip to Bolivia and wow—what a wake-up call. It’s not the easiest country, but it’s absolutely stunning.
I started with Isla del Sol, perfect for easing into the altitude at a relaxed pace. Try to stay in the northern part of the island—it’s quieter and the views are insane. And the trout there? Unreal. Quick tip: bring cash in small bills; they almost never have change, and cards are rarely accepted.
Next up, La Paz. The city’s pretty wild, built in every direction. I did a few hikes in the area, including the famous Charquini Lagoon (the blue lake) at over 5,000 m—let’s just say I struggled 😅 but it was so beautiful it was totally worth it.
After that, I headed to Sajama. It’s cool, especially for the hot springs, and I stayed in Tomarapi. But honestly, if you’re short on time, you can skip it without too many regrets.
The highlight of the trip: the Salar. I did it starting from Tupiza, and I *highly* recommend going Tupiza → Uyuni. Way less crowded at the start and the landscapes are super varied. For the tour, I used SplitYourGuide to find a group, and it worked out great. Super handy for splitting costs and meeting people.
I wrapped up in Sucre—this city is gorgeous, all white, with such a chill vibe. And the salteñas + ice cream? Next level 😋
Bottom line: Bolivia’s a bit rough around the edges, sometimes exhausting (shoutout to the altitude), but it’s 1000% worth it.
If you’ve got questions or need tips, I’m happy to help!
Martin
I was planning to go to Réunion and stay in half-board accommodation with non-professionals, but it seems that’s not really the custom there—or maybe my budget isn’t big enough.
So, since I’ve already traveled around Ecuador and Peru, I’m now looking at Argentina, especially for its mountains (like the ones in Réunion that tempted me, even though—frustratingly—I could only admire them from below).
I plan to get around by bus and don’t know in advance where I’ll sleep, so I won’t book ahead. If I like a place, I might stay for several days.
I know that in Chile, it’s easy to find half-board accommodation, but what about in Argentina?
I’d like to stay with locals in half-board without it being a professional setup. I’m not sure if this is common practice there. It’s up to me to find someone willing to host me.
What do you think?
What would be a fair price (keeping in mind that 40 to 50 € is the max I can spend on accommodation, breakfast, and dinner)?
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Patagonia for three weeks in November, starting from Coyhaique in Chile.
We won’t have a car, and I’m struggling to find information about transportation options for a few parts of the itinerary we’d like to do:
1) From Perito Moreno (the town, near Los Antiguos), we’d like to travel down Ruta 40 to visit Perito Moreno National Park and then cross into Chile via the Paso Roballos (at the latitude of Bajo Caracoles) to reach the road to Cochrane. Without a car, it seems we’ll need to use private agencies to get to the national park—do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Also, does anyone know if it’s possible to cross into Chile via Paso Roballos (from Bajo Caracoles) without a rental car? That is, without having to go all the way down to El Chaltén or back up toward Perito Moreno/Los Antiguos, etc.?
2) The second stretch that seems a bit tricky (though still easier, in theory) is from Caleta Tortel to Villa O’Higgins on the Chilean side. Do we have to go back through Cochrane, or are there ways to get directly from Tortel to Villa O’Higgins?
3) Finally, we’d like to hike into Argentina (El Chaltén) from O’Higgins. Any recommendations for this? Do we need to go through an agency? What’s the estimated duration of the trek?
As you’ve probably gathered, we want to visit some off-the-beaten-path spots but don’t have a car, so we’re looking for the best possible compromises.
Thanks so much in advance for all your suggestions!
Thomas
Hi,
we’re planning a round trip from San Pedro de Atacama, Chile, to Salta, Argentina, in two months. On the way there, we’ll take the northern route via Susques, Route 27, then 52. But for the return, we were thinking of taking the southern route via San Antonio de los Cobres, Route 51, then 23. Is it similar to the northern route in terms of road surface? How busy is it, and are there gas stations? Basically, should we be worried about doing it in an SUV that’s supposedly 4x4 but has regular road tires and no second spare wheel, obviously...
I’ve seen that we can stop over in San Antonio de los Cobres.
Thanks for your feedback.
Raf.
Hi,
we’ll be in Calama at the end of March 2026, and I’m looking for a reliable car rental there for a 7-day road trip to Salta, Argentina. But I’m struggling with the car rental agencies in Calama because the reviews can be scary. I saw Gyg, which has great ratings, but I’m a bit wary (5/5 from 59 reviews—either the guy’s amazing or it’s fake...), but I can’t find any recent reviews on VF in general.
For Punta Arenas, I booked with Dachelet and didn’t have any issues with email exchanges.
Thanks in advance.
Raf.
I’m planning the trip of my dreams for next November—Chile!
I’d love to get your thoughts on my potential itinerary. I know it’s a big investment in terms of both time and money, so every bit of feedback, suggestion, or info helps immensely. Thank you in advance!!
1-Flight to Santiago
2-Explore Santiago
3-Explore Santiago
4-Bus from STG to Valpo (2h) + visit Valparaíso + night in Viña
5-Visit Valparaíso + bus back to STG (2h)
6-Flight to Calama + bus to San Pedro + explore and acclimate in San Pedro + car rental in the afternoon (+Chaxa?)
7-(Very early) Valle del Arcoíris + Laguna Cejar + Valle de la Luna
